Method of treating coccidiosis with antibiotic A-32887K

ABSTRACT

Methods and compositions for treatment of coccidiosis in poultry with antibiotic A-32887 (K-41). Antibiotic A-32887 is produced by submerged aerobic fermentation of Streptomyces albus NRRL 11109.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part application of our co-pending application Ser. No. 14,512, filed Feb. 23, 1979, now abandoned which in turn is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 838,704, filed Oct. 3, 1977, now abandoned, which in turn is a division of application Ser. No. 801,876, filed May 31, 1977, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 4,133,876.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

New, improved antibiotics are continually in demand. In addition to antibiotics which are useful for human diseases, improved antibiotics are also needed in the veterinary field.

Coccidiosis is one disease important to veterinary science, especially to the poultry industry. Coccidiosis results from infection by one or more species of Eimeria or Isopora (for a summary see Lund and Farr in "Diseases of Poultry," 5th ed., Biester and Schwarte, Eds., Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa, 1965, pp 1056-1096). Economic losses due to coccidiosis are great, and known anticoccidial agents have many disadvantages. Improved anticoccidial agents continue to be needed.

2. The Prior Art

A-32887 is a polyether antibiotic. At the time application Ser. No. 801,876 was filed, A-32887 was thought to be closely related to, but different from, the prior art antibiotic K-41 [J. Antibiotics 29 (1), 10-14 (1976)]. Subsequently, however, it has been determined that A-32887 is identical to K-41. A-32887 (K-41) has the following structure: ##STR1##

K-41 was known to be useful as a Grampositive antibiotic. The fact that K-41 is useful for the treatment of coccidiosis in poultry, however, was not previously recognized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an antibiotic substance which is produced by culturing the organism Streptomyces albus NRRL 11109.

The antibiotic substance of this invention is arbitrarily designated herein as A-32887. The C₂ -C₆ -acyl ester derivatives of antibiotic A-32887, the methyl ether derivative of antibiotic A-32887, and the pharmaceutically-acceptable salts of antibiotic A-32887 and of said ester and ether derivatives are also part of this invention. To simplify discussions of utility, the term "A-32887 compound" is used and refers to antibiotic A-32887, a specified acyl ester derivative of A-32887, the methyl ether derivative of A-32887 or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt of A-32887 or of said ester or ether derivatives.

A-32887 is produced by culturing a novel strain of Streptomyces albus, NRRL 11109, under submerged aerobic fermentation conditions until a substantial level of antibiotic activity is produced. A-32887 is extracted from basified broth filtrate with polar organic solvents. The extracted A-32887 is purified by absorption chromatography.

A-32887 compounds are useful in the treatment of coccidiosis in poultry. In addition, A-32887 compounds are antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and insecticidal agents.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following infrared absorption spectra in chloroform are presented in the drawings:

FIG. 1--A-32887 (free acid)

FIG. 2--A-32887 mixed sodium-potassium salt

FIG. 3--A-32887 sodium salt

FIG. 4--A-32887 acetyl ester derivative (Na-K salt)

FIG. 5--A-32887 n-butyryl ester derivative (Na-K salt)

FIG. 6--A-32887 methyl ether derivative (Na salt)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following paragraphs describe the properties of antibiotic A-32887.

A-32887 is a white, amorphous powder which melts at approximately 90° C. Elemental analysis of A-32887 indicates that it has the following approximate percentage composition (average): Carbon, 61.61% Hydrogen, 8.56%; Oxygen, 28.63%. A-32887 has an approximate empirical formula of C₄₈₋₄₉ H₈₀₋₈₆ O₁₇₋₁₈ and a preferred empirical formula of C₄₈ H₈₂ O₁₈.

A-32887 has a molecular weight of about 946, as determined by mass spectrometry.

The infrared absorption spectrum of A-32887 (free acid) in chloroform is shown in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings. Significant absorption maxima occur at the following frequencies (cm⁻¹): 3540 (shoulder), 3420 (medium), 2945 (shoulder), 2905 (strong), 2860 (shoulder), 2805 (shoulder), 1710 (weak), 1450 (medium), 1370 (medium), 1350 (shoulder), 1300 (shoulder), 1275 (weak), 1170 (shoulder), 1155 (medium), 1100 (shoulder), 1085 (strong), 1060 (strong), 1010 (weak), 990 (weak), 980 (shoulder), 948 (medium), 890 (weak), and 850 (weak).

The ultraviolet spectrum of A-32887 shows no significant absorption.

The proton-magnetic-resonance spectrum of A-32887 indicates the presence of five methoxyl groups.

A-32887 (free acid) has the following specific rotation: [α]_(D) ²⁵ +15.9° (c 1, CHCl₃).

A-32887 mixed sodium-potassium salt crystallizes from acetone-water and has a melting point of about 187°-190° C. Elemental analysis of A-32887 Na-K salt indicates that it has the following approximate percentage composition (average):

Carbon, 60.14; Hydrogen, 8.11%; Oxygen, 29.64%; Sodium, 2.31%; Potassium, 0.46%.

The infrared absorption spectrum of A-32887 Na-K salt in chloroform is shown in FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings. Significant absorption maxima are observed at the following frequencies (cm⁻¹): 3400 (shoulder), 3210 (medium), 2970 (strong), 2925 (strong), 2870 (weak), 2820 (weak), 1605 (medium), 1455 (medium), 1375 (shoulder), 1358 (medium), 1310 (weak), 1285 (weak), 1183 (medium), 1160 (medium), 1110 (shoulder), 1090 (strong), 1060 (strong), 1012 (weak), 980 (medium), 942 (medium), 910 (weak), 875 (shoulder), and 858 (weak).

A-32887 Na-K salt, crystallized from acetone-water, has the following characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern (CuNi, 1.5405λ, d=interplanar spacing in angstroms):

    ______________________________________                                                      Relative                                                                  d    Intensity                                                         ______________________________________                                                 12.53                                                                               50                                                                        10.10                                                                               100                                                                       9.5  40                                                                        9.05 40                                                                        8.07 70                                                                        7.16 100                                                                       6.77 100                                                                       6.48 70                                                                        6.16 60                                                                        5.58 50                                                                        5.35 50                                                                        5.10 30                                                                        4.86 60                                                                        4.70 50                                                                        4.44 50                                                                        4.25 50                                                                        4.06 40                                                                        3.80 30                                                                        3.68 40                                                                        3.58 30                                                                        3.42 60                                                                        3.22 10                                                                        3.06 10                                                                        2.97 10                                                                        2.85 10                                                                        2.76 02                                                                        2.61 15                                                                        2.49 05                                                                        2.47 05                                                                        2.44 15                                                                        2.36 10                                                                        2.29 10                                                                        2.20 02                                                                        2.12 02                                                                        2.03 05                                                                        1.96 05                                                                        1.90 02                                                                        1.81 02                                                                ______________________________________                                    

A-32887 Na-K salt has the following specific rotation: [α]_(D) ²⁵ +9.6° (c 1, CHCl₃).

Electrometric titration of A-32887 in 80% aqueous dimethylformamide indicates the presence of a titratable group with a pK_(a) value of 4.60.

A-32887 is soluble in a variety of organic solvents such as methanol, ethanol, dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, ethyl acetate, chloroform, acetone, and benzene; is slightly soluble in non-polar organic solvents such as hexane and heptane; and is insoluble in water.

A-32887 is stable in aqueous solutions having a pH of from about 3 to about 11, but is unstable in solutions having a pH lower than about 3.

A-32887 sodium salt has a molecular weight of about 968, and A-32887 potassium salt has a molecular weight of about 984, both as determined by field-desorption (FD) mass spectrometry. The ion at m/e 969 (M+H) in the FD spectrum of A-32887 sodium salt was peak matched with a field-ionized mass standard. The found mass was 969.5373; the theoretical mass for C₄₈ H₈₂ O₁₈ Na is 969.5399. This finding supports a molecular formula of C₄₈ H₈₂ O₁₈ for A-32887 free acid.

In the following paper-chromatographic systems, using Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 bioautography for detection, A-32887 has these approximate R_(f) values:

    ______________________________________                                         Solvent System         R.sub.f Value                                           ______________________________________                                         Water saturated with methyl                                                    isobutyl ketone (MIBK) 0.58                                                    Water:methanol:acetone                                                         (12:3:1). This solution                                                        is adjusted to pH 10.5 with                                                    NH.sub.4 OH and then lowered                                                   to pH 7.5 with H.sub.3 PO.sub.4                                                                       0.32                                                    Propanol:water (1:9)   0.85                                                    Methanol:propanol:water (6:2:1).                                               Paper buffered with 0.75 M KH.sub.2 PO.sub.4,                                  pH 4.0.                0.79                                                    Methanol:0.05 M sodium citrate at                                              pH 5.7 (7:3). Paper buffered with                                              0.05 M sodium citrate at pH 5.7.                                                                      0.85                                                    Propanol:water (7:3)   0.91                                                    ______________________________________                                    

In the following silica-gel TLC systems, using either vanillin spray reagent or Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 bioautography for detection, A-32887 has the these approximate R_(f) values:

    ______________________________________                                         Solvent System       R.sub.f Value                                             ______________________________________                                         Methanol             0.80                                                      Ethyl acetate:ethanol (1:4)                                                                         0.65                                                      Ethyl acetate:chloroform (1:1)                                                                      0.36                                                      Ethyl acetate:chloroform (6:1)                                                                      0.67                                                      Benzene:ethyl acetate:methanol                                                 (6:4:0.2)            0.58                                                      ______________________________________                                    

A-32887 has an acid function capable of forming salts and ester derivatives and has at least one hydroxyl group capable of esterification. The C₂ -C₆ -acyl ester derivatives of A-32887 and the pharmaceutically-acceptable salts of these ester derivatives are also useful in the treatment of coccidiosis.

The A-32887 acyl ester derivatives are typically prepared by reacting A-32887 with the corresponding C₂ -C₆ -acid anhydride or acid chloride at room temperature.

The following paragraphs describe characteristics of typical A-32887 acyl ester derivatives.

A-32887 acetyl ester derivative (Na-K salt) is a white amorphous powder which has a molecular weight of about 988 and a melting point of about 127°-129° C. A-32887 acetyl ester derivative has an approximate empirical formula of C₅₀₋₅₁ H₈₂₋₈₈ O₁₈₋₁₉.

The infrared absorption spectrum of A-32887 acetyl ester derivative (Na-K salt) in chloroform is shown in FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawings. Significant absorption maxima occur at the following frequencies (cm⁻¹): 3000, 2975, 2932, 2875, 2830, 1733, 1634, 1620, 1610, 1453, 1372, 1305, 1158, 1110, 1092, 1062, 1014, 996, 978, 948, 909, 893, and 853.

A-32887 n-butyryl ester derivative (Na-K salt) is a white amorphous powder which has a molecular weight of about 1016 and a melting point of about 59°-62° C. A-32887 n-butyryl ester derivative has an approximate empirical formula of C₅₂₋₅₃ H₈₆₋₉₂ O₁₈₋₁₉.

The infrared absorption spectrum of A-32887 n-butyryl ester derivative (Na-K salt) in chloroform is shown in FIG. 5 of the accompanying drawings. Significant absorption maxima occur at the following frequencies (cm⁻¹): 3000, 2968, 2932, 2875, 2830, 1724, 1630, 1620, 1610, 1592, 1452, 1372, 1355, 1179, 1155, 1110, 1090, 1060, 1012, 977, 946, and 892.

The C₂ -C₆ -acyl ester derivatives of A-32887 are soluble in a variety of organic solvents such as methanol, ethanol, dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, ethyl acetate, chloroform, acetone, and benzene; are slightly soluble in non-polar organic solvents such as hexane and heptane, and are insoluble in water.

A-32887 can be distinguished from its C₂ -C₆ acyl ester derivatives by TLC. For example, the acetyl and n-butyryl ester derivatives can be separated from A-32887 by silica-gel TLC using a benzene:ethyl acetate (1:1) solvent system. A sulfuric acid spray reagent can be used for detection. In this system A-32887 and its acetyl and n-butyryl ester derivatives have the following approximate R_(f) values:

    ______________________________________                                                          R.sub.f value                                                 ______________________________________                                         A-32887 (Na--K)    0.47                                                        A-32887 acetyl ester                                                            derivative (Na--K)                                                                               0.40                                                        A-32887 n-butyryl ester                                                         derivative (Na--K)                                                                               0.64                                                        ______________________________________                                    

The A-32887 hydroxyl group can react with lower alkanols, lower-alkyl thiols, and glycols to form ether derivatives using procedures similar to those described for the preparation of A204I derivatives in U.S. Pat. No. 3,907,832. The A-32887 C₁ -C₄ -alkyl ether derivatives and their pharmaceutically-acceptable salts are especially useful in this invention. Of the C₁ -C₄ -alkyl ether derivatives, the methyl ether derivative of A-32887 and its pharmaceutically-acceptable salts are preferred.

A-32887 methyl ether derivative has an approximate empirical formula of C₄₉₋₅₀ H₈₂₋₈₈ O₁₇₋₁₈. The sodium salt of A-32887 methyl ether derivative is a white crystalline (n-hexane:ethyl acetate) compound having a melting point of about 214°-216° C.

The molecular weight of A-32887 methyl ether derivative sodium salt is about 982; the molecular weight of A-32887 methyl ether derivative free acid is about 960 (both as determined by FD mass spectrometry).

The infrared absorption spectrum of A-32887 methyl ether derivative (Na salt) in chloroform is shown in FIG. 6 of the accompanying drawings. Significant absorption maxima occur at the following frequencies (cm⁻¹): 3400 (broad), 2990, 2960, 2930, 2870, 2820, 1725, 1610, 1455, 1407, 1370, 1309, 1282, 1240, 1180, 1158, 1110, 1093, 1082, 1057, 1010, 980, 945, 900, 868, 858, 827, 802, 700, and 653.

The proton-magnetic-resonance spectrum of A-32887 methyl ether derivative (Na salt) indicates the presence of six methoxyl groups.

A-32887 methyl ether derivative (Na salt) has the following specific rotation: [α]_(D) ²⁵ -5.1° (c 1, CHCl₃).

A-32887 methyl ether derivative (Na salt), crystallized from n-hexane:ethyl acetate, has the following characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern (CuNi, 1.5405 λ, d=interplanar spacing in angstroms):

    ______________________________________                                                      Relative                                                                  d    Intensity                                                         ______________________________________                                                 13.18                                                                               50                                                                        12.01                                                                               50                                                                        9.02 100                                                                       8.26 100                                                                       7.19 80                                                                        6.46 50                                                                        5.78 20                                                                        5.46 20                                                                        5.00 30                                                                        4.24 20                                                                        3.72 20                                                                        3.36 0.5                                                               ______________________________________                                    

Electrometric titration of A-32887 methyl ether derivative (Na salt) in 80% aqueous dimethylformamide indicates the presence of a titratable group with a pK_(a) value of about 5.4.

A-32887 methyl ether derivative is soluble in a variety of organic solvents such as methanol, ethanol, dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, ethyl acetate, chloroform, acetone, and benzene; is slightly soluble in non-polar organic solvents such as hexane and heptane; and is insoluble in water.

A-32887 methyl ether derivative (Na salt) can be separated from A-32887 (Na-K salt) by silica-gel TLC, using a benzene:ethyl acetate (1:1) solvent system and sulfuric acid spray reagent for detection. In this system, A-32887 and its methyl ether derivative have the following R_(f) values:

    ______________________________________                                                         R.sub.f Value                                                  ______________________________________                                         A-32887 (Na--K)   0.425                                                        A-32887 methyl ether                                                            derivative (Na)  0.22                                                         ______________________________________                                    

A-32887, the C₂ -C₆ -acyl ester derivatives of A-32887, and A-32887 methyl ether derivative are capable of forming salts. The pharmaceutically-acceptable alkali-metal, alkaline-earth-metal and amine salts of A-32887, the C₂ -C₆ -acyl ester derivatives of A-32887, and A-32887 methyl ether derivative are also useful in the method of this invention. "Pharmaceutically-acceptable" salts are those in which the toxicity of the compound as a whole toward warm-blooded animals is not increased relative to the non-salt form. Representative and suitable alkali-metal and alkaline-earth metal salts of A-32887 include the sodium, potassium, lithium, cesium, rubidium, barium, calcium, and magnesium salts. Suitable amine salts of A-32887 include the ammonium and the primary, secondary, and tertiary C₁ -C₄ -alkylammonium and hydroxy-C₂ -C₄ -alkylammonium salts. Illustrative amine salts include those formed by reaction of A-32887 with ammonium hydroxide, methylamine, sec-butylamine, isopropylamine, diethylamine, di-isopropylamine, ethanolamine, triethylamine, 3-amino-1-propanol and the like.

The alkali-metal and alkaline-earth-metal cationic salts of A-32887 are prepared according to procedures commonly used for the preparation of cationic salts. For example, the free-acid form of A-32887 is dissolved in a suitable solvent such as acetone; a solution containing the stoichiometric quantity of the desired inorganic base in aqueous acetone is added to this solution. The salt thus formed can be isolated by routine methods, such as filtration or evaporation of the solvent.

The salts formed with organic amines can be prepared in a similar manner. For example, the gaseous or liquid amine can be added to a solution of A-32887 in a suitable solvent such as acetone; the solvent and excess amine can be removed by evaporation.

It is well known in the veterinary pharmaceutical art that the the form of an antibiotic is not ordinarily of great significance when treating an animal with the antibiotic. In most cases, conditions within the animal change the drug to a form other than that in which it was administered. The salt form in which it may be administered is, therefore, not of great significance. The salt form may, however, be chosen for reasons of economy, convenience, and toxicity.

A-32887 is produced by culturing an A-32887-producing strain of Streptomyces albus under submerged aerobic conditions in a suitable culture medium until substantial antibiotic activity is produced. A-32887 is separated from the culture medium by the use of various isolation and purification procedures understood in the art.

The new microorganism useful for the preparation of antibiotic A-32887 was isolated from a soil sample collected in Curacao in Dutch Antilles. This organism is classified as a strain of Streptomyces albus (Rossi-Doria) Waksman and Henrici. The characteristics upon which this classification is based are found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,133,876.

The Streptomyces albus culture useful for the production of antibiotic A-32887 has been deposited and made a part of the stock culture collection of the Northern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Peoria, Ill. 61604, from which it is available to the public under the number NRRL 11109.

The culture medium employed to grow Streptomyces albus NRRL 11109 can be any one of a number of media. For economy in production, optimal yield, and ease of product isolation, however, certain culture media are preferred. Thus, for example, a preferred carbohydrate source in large-scale fermentation is glucose, although dextrin, starch, maltose, and the like can also be used. A preferred nitrogen source is meat peptone, although other peptones, enzyme-hydrolyzed casein, soybean meal, amino acids and the like are also useful. Among the nutrient inorganic salts which can be incorporated in the culture media are the customary soluble salts capable of yielding iron, potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, ammonium, chloride, carbonate, sulfate, nitrate, and like ions.

Essential trace elements necessary for the growth and development of the organism should also be included in the culture medium. Such trace elements commonly occur as impurities in other substituents of the medium in amounts sufficient to meet the growth requirements of the organism. It may be necessary to add small amounts (i.e. 0.2 ml/l.) of an antifoam agent such as polypropylene glycol (M.W. about 2000) to large-scale fermentation media if foaming becomes a problem.

For production of substantial quantities of antibiotic A-32887, submerged aerobic fermentation in tanks is preferred. Small quantities of antibiotic A-32887 may be obtained by shake-flask culture. Because of the time lag in antibiotic production commonly associated with inoculation of large tanks with the spore form of the organism, it is preferable to use a vegetative inoculum. The vegetative inoculum is prepared by inoculating a small volume of culture medium with the spore form or mycelial fragments of the organism to obtain a fresh, actively growing culture of the organism. The vegetative inoculum is then transferred to a larger tank. The medium used for the vegetative inoculum can be the same as that employed for larger fermentations, but other media can also be employed.

The A-32887-producing organism can be grown at temperatures between about 22° and about 45° C. Optimum A-32887 production appears to occur at temperatures of about 30° C.

As is customary in aerobic submerged culture processes, sterile air is blown through the culture medium. For efficient production of antibiotic A-32887 the volume of air employed in tank productions is preferably about 0.25-0.5 volume of air per volume of culture medium per minute (V/V/M).

Production of antibiotic A-32887 can be followed during the fermentation by testing samples of the broth or of extracts of the mycelial solids for antibiotic activity against organisms known to be sensitive to this antibiotic. One assay organism useful in testing this antibiotic is Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633. The bioassay is conveniently performed by paper-disc assay on agar plates.

Following its production under submerged aerobic fermentation conditions, antibiotic A-32887 can be recovered from the fermentation medium by methods employed in the fermentation art. Although the antibiotic activity produced during fermentation of the A-32887-producing organism occurs in both the broth and in the mycelial mass, the major part of the activity is in the filtered broth. Maximum recovery of antibiotic A-32887 is accomplished, therefore, by an initial filtration to separate the broth from the mycelial mass. The filtered broth can then be further purified to give antibiotic A-32887. A variety of techniques may be used in this purification. A preferred technique for purification of the filtered broth involves adjusting the broth to about pH 9 and extracting with a suitable solvent such as ethyl acetate. The extracting solvent can then be evaporated under vacuum to give partially-purified antibiotic A-32887. Further purification of A-32887 involves the use of chromatography. A preferred adsorbent for this purification is silica gel.

Alternatively, the culture solids, including medium constituents and mycelium can be used without extraction or separation, but preferably after removal of water, as a source of antibiotic A-32887. For example, after production of A-32887 antibiotic activity, the whole fermentation broth or the broth filtrate can be dried by lyophilization, by drum-drying, or by azeotropic distillation and drying. The dried whole broth or dried broth filtrate can then be mixed directly into feed premix.

Antibiotic A-32887 inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria, especially Gram-positive bacteria. Table I summarizes the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC), as measured by standard agar-dilution assays, at which A-32887 (Na-K salt) inhibits certain bacteria.

                  TABLE I                                                          ______________________________________                                         Test Organism       MIC (mcg/ml)                                               ______________________________________                                         Staphylococcus aureus 3055                                                                         6.25                                                       Streptococcus faecalis                                                                             6.25                                                       Staphylococcus sp.  1.56                                                       Streptococcus sp.   3.12                                                       Pasteurella multocida (bovine)                                                                     50.00                                                      Pseudomonas sp.     3.12                                                       ______________________________________                                    

The activity of A-32887 (Na-K salt) against illustrative bacteria, as measured by the conventional disc-diffusion method, is summarized in Table II.

                  TABLE II                                                         ______________________________________                                                                      Zone of                                           Test Organism      mcg/disc  Inhibition (mm)                                   ______________________________________                                         Staphylococcus aureus 3055                                                                        300       15.6                                              Staphylococcus aureus 3055                                                                        30        12.0                                              Staphylococcus aureus 3074*                                                                       300       16.0                                              Staphylococcus aureus 3074*                                                                       30        12.7                                              Staphylococcus aureus 3130**                                                                      300       15.2                                              Staphylococcus aureus 3130**                                                                      30        15.0                                              Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A)                                                                  300       17.5                                              Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A)                                                                  30        14.0                                              Streptococcus sp. (Group D)                                                                       300       14.7                                              Streptococcus sp. (Group D)                                                                       30        13.7                                              Diplococcus pneumoniae                                                                            300       18.0                                              Diplococcus pneumoniae                                                                            30        16.0                                              ______________________________________                                          *Penicillin Gresistant                                                         **Methicillinresistant                                                   

The antimicrobial activity of two typical A-32887 acyl ester derivatives is compared with that of A-32887 (each as Na-K salts) in Table III. Activity against illustrative bacteria is measured by the conventional disc-diffusion method. In addition, the results of a conventional paper-disc agar-diffusion assay system (Plate Assay) against Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 are reported. The activity in this test is quantitated and uses a dried-broth reference standard which is assigned an arbitrary potency of 100 units/ml. The samples were assayed at 1 mg/ml.

                  TABLE III                                                        ______________________________________                                                             Sta-                                                                  Plate    phylo-  Bacil-                                                                               Micro-                                                  Assay    cocccus lus   coccus                                                                               Bacillus                               Compound   units/ml aureus  subtilis                                                                             lutea subtilis*                              ______________________________________                                         A-32887    1350     16      18    16    30                                     A-32887 Acetyl                                                                 Ester Derivative                                                                           238     trace   12    trace 22                                     A-32887 n-Butyryl                                                              Ester Derivative                                                                          1109     14      16    12    27                                     ______________________________________                                          *Minimal media                                                           

The acute toxicity of A-32887 (Na-K salt), when administered intraperitoneally to mice and expressed as LD₅₀, is 37.5 mg/kg×1.

The A-32887 compounds are useful in the treatment of coccidiosis in poultry. Treatment may be required to achieve either prevention or control of the disease. As used herein, "prevention" refers to treatment of uninfected, but susceptible, birds; and "control" refers to treatment of infected animals to minimize the severity of the disease. Thus, either infected or uninfected animals may be in need of treatment for the disease. Ordinarily, a lower concentration of active compound may be used to prevent the disease than is needed to control it.

The anticoccidial activity of the A-32887 compounds is demonstrated by feeding experiments which show that A-32887 (Na-K salt), when present in the feed of young chickens at levels as low as 40 ppm, decreases mortality and the number of lesions in chicks which have been challenged with coccidia. Tables IV through VI summarize the results of tests with A-32887 (Na-K salt) in chicks challenged with various Eimeria species.

                  TABLE IV                                                         ______________________________________                                         ACTIVITY OF A-32887 AGAINST E. tenella AND E. maxima.sup. 1                                    Weight          Average Lesion                                           Mor-  Gain    Feed/   Total Score                                    Treatment.sup.2,3                                                                       PPM    tality.sup.4                                                                           (g).sup.5                                                                            Gain.sup.6                                                                           Intestinal                                                                            Cecal                               ______________________________________                                         Normal    0     0       195   1.65  0      0                                   Controls                                                                       Infected  0     40       66   --    10.8   3.7                                 Controls                                                                       A-32887  100    0       159   1.87  1.6    0                                   (Na--K salt)                                                                   A-32887  80     0       182   1.83  3.0    0.3                                 (Na--K salt)                                                                   A-32887  60     0       155   1.83  5.9    0.6                                 (Na--K salt)                                                                   A-32887  40     0       176   1.89  4.9    1.6                                 (Na--K salt)                                                                   ______________________________________                                          .sup.1 70,000 oocysts/bird of each of E. tenella and E. maxima                 .sup.2 Infected 48 hours postmedication; terminated seven days                 postinoculation                                                                .sup.3 Four replicates; five birds/replicate                                   .sup.4 Due to coccidiosis                                                      .sup.5 Per survivor                                                            .sup.6 Pens without deaths only                                          

                  TABLE V                                                          ______________________________________                                         ACTIVITY OF A-32887 AGAINST                                                    E. tenella AND E. acervulina                                                             Per-  Per-    Average                                                          cent  cent    Lesion Score                                                                              Oocysts                                                     Mor-    Weight                                                                               Intes-                                                                               Ce-  Per Bird                              Treatment.sup.1,2                                                                       ppm    tality.sup.3                                                                           Gain.sup.4                                                                           tinal cal  (1 × 10.sup.6).sup.5            ______________________________________                                         Infected --     12.5    63    1.2   3.6  29.37                                 Controls                                                                       A-32887  121    0       73    0.3   0    0.4                                   (Na--K salt)                                                                   A-32887  100    0       85    0.6   0.1  1.28                                  (Na--K salt)                                                                   A-32887   77    0       90    0.7   0    5.48                                  (Na--K salt)                                                                   A-32887   62    0       97    0.9   0.1  16.40                                 (Na--K salt)                                                                   ______________________________________                                          .sup.1 6 replicates; 5 birds each                                              .sup.2 Infection inoculum 48 hours postmedication onset                        .sup.3 Due to coccidiosis                                                      .sup.4 Normal controls = 100%                                                  .sup.5 Days 7-9                                                          

                                      TABLE VI                                     __________________________________________________________________________     ACTIVITY OF A-32887 AGAINST E. tenella, E. maxima and E. acervulina                          Percent                                                                              Percent      Average Lesion Score                                                                      Oocysts/Bird.sup.6                 Treatment.sup.1,2                                                                         ppm                                                                               Mortality.sup.3                                                                      Weight Gain.sup.4                                                                     Feed/Gain.sup.5                                                                      Intestinal                                                                           Cecal                                                                               1 × 10.sup.6                 __________________________________________________________________________     Normal Controls                                                                           -- 0     100    1.46  --    --   --                                 Infected Controls                                                                         -- 32.5  40     --    1.2   3.6  63.54                              A-32887 (Na--K salt)                                                                      100                                                                               0     93     1.50  0     0.1   6.49                              A-32887 (Na--K salt)                                                                      75 0     90     1.49  0.9   2.0  24.35                              A-32887 (Na--K salt)                                                                      50 0     79     1.67  1.8   3.8  35.78                              A-32887 (Na--K salt)                                                                      25 35    57     --    1.1   3.9  64.83                              __________________________________________________________________________      .sup.1 7 days postinoculation; infection inoculum 24 hrs. postmedication       onset                                                                          .sup.2 Six replicates; 5 birds/each                                            .sup.3 Due to coccidiosis                                                      .sup.4 Per survivor                                                            .sup.5 Pens without deaths, only                                               .sup.6 Total days 5, 6 and 7 postinoculation                             

For the prevention or treatment of coccidiosis in poultry, a non-toxic anticoccidial amount of an A-32887 compound is administered to birds, preferably orally on a daily basis. The A-32887 compound can be supplied in many ways, but is is most conveniently supplied with a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier, preferably the feed ingested by the birds. Although a variety of factors must be considered in determining an appropriate concentration of A-32887 compound, the rates of administration are generally in the range of about 30 to about 180 ppm in the feed and are preferably in the range of about 50 to about 120 ppm of feed ration.

This invention further relates to feed compositions adapted to treat coccidiosis in poultry comprising from about 45 to about 110 pounds of A-32887 compound per ton of poultry feed.

Although a preferred method of administration is to mix the A-32887 compound with the animals' feed, it can be administered in other ways, for example, tablets, capsules or in the drinking water. Formulation of these various dosage forms can be accomplished by methods well known in the veterinary pharmaceutical art. Each individual dosage unit should contain a quantity of A-32887 compound directly related to the proper daily dose for the animal to be treated.

In order to illustrate more fully the operation of this invention, the following examples are provided:

EXAMPLE 1 A. Shake-flask Fermentation of A-32887

A lyophilized pellet of Streptomyces albus NRRL 11109 was dissolved in 1-2 ml of sterilized water. This solution was used to inoculate an agar slant having the following composition:

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient             Amount                                                  ______________________________________                                         Agar                   20     g                                                Dextrin                10     g                                                Yeast extract          1      g                                                Beef extract           1      g                                                Enzymatic hydrolysate                                                          of casein*             2      g                                                CoCl.sub.2 . 6H.sub.2 O                                                                               0.01   g                                                Deionized water        q.s. 1 liter                                            NaOH was added to raise the pH of the                                          medium from about 6.2 to about 7.0,                                            before sterilizing; pH after sterilization                                     about 6.9.                                                                     ______________________________________                                          *NZ Amine A, Humko Sheffield Chemical, Lyndhurst, N.J.                   

The inoculated slant was incubated at 30° C. for about 7 days. The mature slant culture was scraped with a sterile pipette or loop to loosen the spores. About one-fourth of the loosened spores were used to inoculate 50 ml of a vegetative medium having the following composition:

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient            Amount                                                   ______________________________________                                         Glucose               15     g                                                 Soybean meal          15     g                                                 Corn steep liquor     10     g                                                 NaCl                  5      g                                                 CaCO.sub.3            2      g                                                 Cold tap water        q.s. 1 liter                                             The pH of this medium was adjusted from                                        approximately 5.8 to about 6.5 by the                                          addition of NaOH; post-sterilization pH                                        about 6.5.                                                                     ______________________________________                                    

The inoculated vegetative medium was incubated in a 250-ml Erlenmeyer flask at 30° C. for about 48 hours on a shaker rotating through an arc two inches in diameter at 250 RPM.

This incubated vegetative medium (0.5-2.5 ml; 1-5%) was used to inoculate 50 ml of a production medium having the following composition:

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient        Amount (g/l.)                                                ______________________________________                                         Glucose           25.0                                                         Starch            10.0                                                         Peptone*          10.0                                                         Enzymatic-hydrolysate of                                                       casein            4.0                                                          Blackstrap molasses                                                                              5.0                                                          MgSO.sub.4 . 7H.sub.2 O                                                                          0.5                                                          CaCO.sub.3        2.0                                                          Czapek's mineral stock***                                                      Deionized water   q.s. 1 liter                                                 ______________________________________                                          *Wilson's Peptone 159, Wilson's Protein Technology                             **NZ Amine A, Humko Sheffield Chemical, Lyndhurst, N.J.                        ***Czapek's mineral stock has the following composition: 100 g KCl; 100 g      MgSO.sub.4 . 7H.sub.2 O; 2 g FeSO.sub.4 . 7H.sub.2 O; q.s. to 1 liter wit      deionized water                                                          

The inoculated production medium was incubated in a 250-ml Erlenmeyer flask at 30° C. for about 2 to 3 days on a shaker rotating through an arc two inches in diameter at 250 RPM.

B. Tank Fermentation of A-32887

In order to provide a larger volume of inoculum, 20 ml of incubated vegetative medium, prepared as described in Section A, was used to inoculate 400 ml of a second-stage vegetative-growth medium having the same composition as that of the vegetative medium. This second-stage vegetative medium was incubated in a 2-liter flask for about 24 hours at 30° C. on a shaker rotating through an arc two inches in diameter at 250 RPM.

Incubated second-stage medium (800 ml) thus prepared was used to inoculate 100 liters of sterile production medium, prepared as described in Section A. The inoculated production medium was allowed to ferment in a 165-liter fermentation tank for 3 to 4 days at a temperature of 30° C. The fermentation medium was aerated with sterile air at the rate of 0.25 V/V/M and was stirred with conventional agitators at 250 RPM.

EXAMPLE 2 Separation of A-32887

Whole fermentation broth (925l.), obtained by the method described in Example 1, was adjusted to pH 8.5 by the addition of NaOH, stirred for 45 minutes, and filtered with a filter aid (Hyflo Super-cel, a diatomaceous earth, Johns-Manville Products Corp.). The filtered cake was washed with water, and the water wash was added to the filtered broth. The filtered-broth solution was then extracted twice with ethyl acetate (2/3 volumes). The ethyl acetate extracts were combined and concentrated under vacuum to give an oily residue. The residue was dissolved in benzene (4 l.); the benzene solution was filtered; and the filtrate was applied to a 9.5- ×162-cm silica-gel column (Grace, grade 62), prepared in benzene. After washing the column with benzene (24 l.), the eluting solvent was changed to benzene:ethyl acetate (3:2), collecting 37 liters consisting of fractions of 1 liter each. Elution was monitored by silica-gel thin-layer chromatography, using a benzene:ethyl acetate (1:1) solvent system and Bacillus subtilis bioautography for detection. The active fractions which contained A-32887 (11 L.) were combined and evaporated to dryness under vacuum. In order to remove color and other impurities, the residue thus obtained was dissolved in chloroform and chromatographed on a 2.2- ×40-cm column of carbon (Pittsburgh 12×40), prepared in chloroform. The column was washed with chloroform (3 l.); the chloroform eluate was concentrated to dryness under vacuum. The residue thus obtained was dissolved in diethyl ether (200 ml). The resulting solution was evaporated slowly under vacuum to give a thick syrup. The syrup was slowly warmed, and n-hexane (500 ml) was added with stirring. This solution was allowed to stand at room temperature until the A-32887 had crystallized. The crystalline A-32887 was separated by filtration and dried. The A-32887 was recrystallized by dissolving in acetone (500 ml), slowly adding water (200 ml), and allowing the resulting solution to stand at room temperature. The recrystallized A-32887 was separated by filtration, washed with water and dried to give 59 g of A-32887 Na-K salt. Further recrystallization gave additional A-32287 (Na-K salt) in the following amounts: 8.4 g in the second crop, and 5.2 g in the third crop (mp 158°-160°).

EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of A-32887 Free Acid

A-32887 Na-K salt (1 g), obtained as described in Example 2, was dissolved in dioxane (200 ml). Water (25 ml) was added to this solution; the resulting solution was adjusted to pH 3 by the addition of dilute HCl. The acidified solution was stirred, and maintained at pH 3 with HCl, as water (100 ml) was slowly added. The resulting solution was evaporated under vacuum to remove the dioxane; the resulting aqueous suspension was extracted twice with ethyl acetate (equal volumes). The combined ethyl acetate extract was evaporated under vacuum to give an oily residue. This residue was dissolved in chloroform and re-evaporated under vacuum to give A-32887 free acid as a white amorphous powder (524 mg; mp about 90° C.)

EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of A-32887 Silver Salt

A-32887 Na-K salt (200 mg), obtained as described in Example 2, was dissolved in methanol (10 ml). An aqueous solution of silver nitrate (2 ml; 50 mg/ml) was added slowly. The resulting solution was placed in a beaker wrapped with aluminum foil to prevent degradation (reduction) of the silver. The solution was kept at 5° C. until crystallization was complete. The crystals were separated by filtration and were recrystallized from n-hexane to give A-32887 silver salt as very fine white needles (mp 166°-168° C.).

EXAMPLE 5 Preparation of the Sodium Salt of A-32887

A-32887 free acid (500 mg), prepared as described in Example 3, was dissolved in acetone (150 ml); water (20 ml) was added. The resulting mixture was adjusted to pH 9 with NaOH. Water (200 ml) was then added, and the resulting solution was stirred for 1/2 hour. The solution was concentrated under vacuum to remove acetone. The resulting suspension was extracted with an equal volume of ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extract was concentrated under vacuum to dryness. The residue was dissolved in warm acetone (20 ml); water was added until the solution was turbid; and the solution was then allowed to crystallize. The crystals were removed by filtration, washed with water, and dried to give 306 mg of A-32887 sodium salt (mp 130°-133° C.).

EXAMPLE 6 Preparation of the Methyl Ether Derivative of A-32887

A-32887 free acid (3 g), prepared as described in Example 3, was dissolved in methanol (300 ml) and allowed to stand at room temperature for 12 hours. The conversion was monitored by silica-gel TLC, using a benzene:ethyl acetate (1:1) solvent system and H₂ SO₄ spray for detection. The solution was evaporated to dryness under vacuum. The residue obtained was dissolved in benzene (40 ml). This solution was applied to a 3.2- ×95-cm column of silica gel (Grace, grade 62), packed in benzene. The column was eluted with benzene:ethyl acetate (3:2), collecting 25-ml fractions, and monitoring elution by TLC. Fractions 90-220, which contained most of the desired product, were combined and evaporated under vacuum to dryness. The residue, dissolved in benzene (15 ml) was rechromatographed on a 1.8- ×112-cm column of silica gel (Grace, grade 62), prepared in benzene. The column was eluted with benzene:ethyl acetate (9:1), collecting 25-ml fractions and monitoring elution by TLC. At fraction 383, the eluting solvent was changed to benzene:ethyl acetate (4:1); and at fraction 780 the solvent was changed to benzene:ethyl acetate (7:3). Fractions 450-700 contained A-32887; fractions 702-760 contained a mixture of A-32887 and A-32887 methyl ether derivative; and fractions 761-1130 contained A-32887 methyl ether derivative. Fractions 761-1130 were combined and evaporated to dryness under vacuum. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (20 ml); n-hexane (80 ml) was added; and the solution was allowed to crystallize. The crystals were removed by filtration and dried to give 242 mg of A-32887 methyl ether derivative as the sodium salt (mp 214°-216° C.).

EXAMPLE 7 Preparation of the Acetyl Ester Derivative of A-32887

A-32887 Na-K salt (200 mg), prepared as described in Example 2, was dissolved in pyridine (8 ml); acetic anhydride (3.2 ml) was added. The mixture was allowed to stand overnight and then was evaporated under vacuum to dryness. The residue was dissolved in t-butanol and lyophilized to give 231 mg of the acetyl ester derivative of A-32887 (Na-K salt) as a white amorphous powder, mp 127°-129° C.

EXAMPLE 8 Preparation of the n-Butyryl Ester Derivative of A-32887

A-32887 (Na-K salt; 200 mg) was dissolved in pyridine (14 ml), and n-butyric anhydride (14 ml) was added. The mixture was allowed to stand for 17 hours at room temperature; water (14 ml) was added; and the solution was then concentrated to an oil in vacuo. The oily residue was lyophilized from dioxane-water several times to give 240 mg of the n-butyryl ester derivative of A-32887 (Na-K salt) as a white amorphous powder, mp 59°-62° C.

EXAMPLE 9 A-32887-Modified Chick Ration for Coccidiosis Control

A balanced, high-energy ration adapted to feed chicks for rapid weight gain is prepared by the following recipe:

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient          %      lbs                                                 ______________________________________                                         Ground yellow corn  50     1,000                                               Soybean meal, solvent-                                                         extracted dehulled, finely                                                     ground, 50 percent protein                                                                         31.09  621.8                                               Animal fat (beef tallow)                                                                           6.5    130                                                 Dried fish meal, with                                                          solubles (60% protein)                                                                             5.0    100                                                 Distillers' solubles                                                           from corn           4.0    80                                                  Dicalcium phosphate,                                                           feed grade          1.8    36                                                  Calcium carbonate   0.8    16                                                  Vitamin premix                                                                 (representing vitamins A,                                                      D, E, K, and B.sub.12, choline,                                                niacin, pantothenic acid,                                                      riboflavin, biotin, with                                                       glucose bulking agent)                                                                             0.5    10                                                  Trace mineral premix                                                           (representing MnSO.sub.4, ZnO,                                                 KI, FeSO.sub.4, CaCO.sub.3)                                                                        0.2    4                                                   2-Amino-4-hydroxybutyric                                                       acid                                                                           (hydroxy analog of                                                             methionine)         0.1    2                                                   A-32887 (Na--K Salt)                                                                               0.01   0.2                                                 ______________________________________                                    

These substances are mixed in accordance with standard feed-mixing techniques. Chicks fed such a ration, with water ad libitum, are protected against exposure to coccidiosis; weight gains are comparable to those of coccidiosis-free chicks fed a similar, unmedicated diet. 

We claim:
 1. A method of treating coccidiosis in poultry which comprises orally administering to poultry in need of said treatment an effective anticoccidial amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of (1) antibiotic A-32887 which has the following structure: ##STR2## (2) the acetyl ester derivative of A-32887, which has an approximate empirical formula of C₅₀₋₅₁ H₈₂₋₈₈ O₁₈₋₁₉, and which in its Na-K salt form has a molecular weight of about 988, a melting point of about 127°-129° C., and an approximate R_(f) value of 0.40 on silica-gel TLC in benzene:ethyl acetate (1:1), and an infrared absorption spectrum as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings; (3) the n-butyryl ester derivative of A-32887 which has an approximate empirical formula of C₅₂₋₅₃ H₈₆₋₉₂ O₁₈₋₁₉, and which in its Na-K salt form has a molecular weight of about 1016, a melting point of about 59°-62° C., an approximate R_(f) value of 0.64 on silica-gel TLC in benzene:ethyl acetate (1:1), and an infrared absorption spectrum as shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings; and (4) the pharmaceutically-acceptable salts of antibiotic A-32887 and of the acetyl and n-butyryl ester derivatives of antibiotic A-32887.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the compound is antibiotic A-32887 or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the compound is antibiotic A-32887 Na-K salt.
 4. A method of treating coccidiosis in poultry which comprises orally administering to poultry an effective anticoccidial amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of (1) the methyl ether derivative of A-32887 which has a molecular weight of about 960 and an approximate empirical formula of C₄₉₋₅₀ H₈₂₋₈₈ O₁₇₋₁₈, and which in its sodium salt form is a white crystalline compound, when crystallized from n-hexane:ethyl acetate, having a melting point of about 214°-216° C. and having the following characteristics:(a) a molecular weight of about 982, as determined by FD mass spectrometry; (b) an infrared absorption spectrum in chloroform with significant absorption maxima at the following frequencies (cm⁻¹): 3400 (broad), 2990, 2960, 2930, 2870, 2820, 1725, 1610, 1455, 1407, 1370, 1309, 1282, 1240, 1180, 1158, 1110, 1093, 1082, 1057, 1010, 980, 945, 900, 868, 858, 827, 802, 700, and 653; (c) a proton-magnetic-resonance spectrum which indicates the presence of six methoxyl groups; (d) a specific rotation as follows: [α]_(D) ²⁵ -5.1° (c 1, CHCl₃); (e) an X-ray powder diffraction pattern (CuNi, 1.5405 λ, d=interplanar spacing in angstroms) as follows:

    ______________________________________                                                      Relative                                                                  d    Intensity                                                         ______________________________________                                                 13.18                                                                               50                                                                        12.01                                                                               50                                                                        9.02 100                                                                       8.26 100                                                                       7.19 80                                                                        6.46 50                                                                        5.78 20                                                                        5.46 20                                                                        5.00 30                                                                        4.24 20                                                                        3.72 20                                                                        3.36 0.5                                                               ______________________________________                                    

(f) a titratable group in 80% aqueous dimethylformamide with a pK_(a) value of about 5.4; (g) solubility in methanol, ethanol, dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, ethyl acetate, chloroform, acetone, and benzene; slight solubility in hexane and heptane; and insolubility in water; (h) an acid function capable of forming salts and ester derivatives; and(2) the pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the compound is A-32887 methyl ether derivative sodium salt.
 6. A feed composition adapted to treat coccidiosis in poultry comprising feed and from about 45 to about 110 pounds per ton of a compound selected from the group consisting of the acetyl ester derivative of A-32887 and n-butyryl ester derivative of A-32887 as defined in claim 1; the methyl ether derivative of A-32887 as defined in claim 4; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of each of these.
 7. A feed of claim 6 wherein the compound is the acetyl ester derivative of A-32887 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 8. A feed of claim 6 wherein the compound is the n-butyryl ester derivative of A-32887 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 9. A feed of claim 6 wherein the compound is the methyl ether derivative of A-32887 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 